Benjamin Jasper Carter (shown in the photo) is wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of Zackery Jacob Chapman, age 36, from Redway. Chapman's body was found Last Saturday, April 19, 2014, just off of Kimtu Road, Garberville. On Friday the 18th, after the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding a possible homicide, Melinda Elaine Carter (shown in the photo below), age 41, the wife of suspect Benjamin Jasper Carter, was arrested in Redway for conspiracy and accessory to a homicide, auto theft and arson. According to a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, the homicide is believed to have occurred on a property off Conic Creek, Garberville, where a trailer on the property had been burned down, possibly in an attempt to conceal evidence. The HCSO press releases appear below.

Carter is described to as a white male, age 33, 6’3”, 180 lbs., brown hair, and blue eyes. Carter’s head may be shaved bald and he may have a goatee and mustache. Carter has multiple tattoos on his chest, back, arms, legs, and neck. Carter is associated with a black GMC truck, CA license 6R68046. The truck has a blue tailgate with an Oakland Raiders design and front end damage. Carter is believed to be armed and dangerous - if seen, do not approach the suspect and contact law enforcement.

If anyone has information on this homicide they are encouraged to call Investigator Cheryl Franco at 707-268-3644 or the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251.

HCSO press release, dated April 21, 2014:On 04-18-2014 at about 10:30pm, Humboldt County Sheriff Office Detectives arrested Melinda Elaine Carter age 41 for conspiracy and accessory to a homicide, auto theft and arson. Melinda Carter was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility in Eureka where her bail was set at $750,000 dollars. Detectives located Melinda Carter in a motel room at the Brass Rail Motel in Redway where they had served a search warrant related to the homicide investigation. Melinda Carter is the wife of the suspect, Benjamin Jasper Carter age 33, who has not been arrested yet in connection of the homicide.

On 04-19-2014 at about 12:30pm, a citizen dialed 9-1-1 after locating a deceased male body just off Kimtu Road, Garberville. The body was in the water near the river bank. Sheriff’s Office Detectives, who were in the area immediately responded to the scene. Sheriff’s Offices Detectives assisted by the California Department of Justice processed the crime scene. The Humboldt County Coroner Office responded to the scene to take possession of the body.

The male victim was identified by the Coroner’s Office as Zackery Jacob Chapman age 36 from Redway. Chapman appears to have died from the result of a gunshot wound. An Autopsy is scheduled for later this week.

On 04-19-2014 the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office along with Humboldt County Arson Task Force and the California Department of Justice processed the homicide scene, which was located on a piece of property off Conic Creek, Garberville. A trailer on the property had been burned down after the homicide in an attempt to conceal evidence where the homicide occurred.

The Sheriff’s Office is advising the public if they see the suspect Benjamin Jasper Carter to immediately contact law enforcement and do not approach Carter, who is considered armed and dangerous. They are being advised to dial 9-1-1.

If anyone has information on this homicide they are encouraged to call Investigator Cheryl Franco at 707-268-3644 or the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251.

HCSO press release, dated April 19, 2014:On 04/18/2014 the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding a possible homicide involving a firearm that occurred in the Southern Humboldt area. The Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating this allegation with the assistance from the District Attorney Investigator’s Office, Department of Justice (DOJ), Arson Task Force, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

Benjamin Jasper Carter is wanted for questioning in association to this investigation. Carter is described to be a white male, age 33, 6’3”, 180 lbs, brown hair, and blue eyes. Carter’s head may be shaved bald and he may have a goatee and mustache. Carter has multiple tattoos on his chest, back, arms, legs, and neck. Carter is associated with a black GMC truck, CA license 6R68046. The truck has a blue tailgate with an Oakland Raiders design and front end damage. Carter is believed to be armed and dangerous. If seen, do not approach and contact law enforcement.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

The Emerald Cup is the world's longest running outdoor organic cannabis competition and celebration. In its 10th year it moved out of the Emerald Triangle and drew approximately 5,000 visitors to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, Calif. on December 14th and 15th, 2013. KMUD streamed the event live on the web and simulcast it on KMUD's HD2 channel.

Use the players below to hear audio recorded at the Emerald Cup event. The audio tracks were edited by Kerry Reynolds, KMUD News Correspondent and Host of the KMUD Radio Show Cannabis Consciousness. Kerry's show airs every first Sunday from 1:30-3:00pm on KMUD and streams live at: kmud.org. The photos and audio descriptions were also provided by Kerry Reynolds.

Update: April 14, 2014 - Shannon Paige Sundberg, previously reported as missing, was located last Saturday safe and not in need of further assistance by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. The press release update appears below.

HCSO press release, dated April 12, 2014:On 04/12/2014 at approximately 2 PM, missing person Shannon Paige Sundberg was located by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. A citizen had phoned the Sheriff’s Office and stated that they were traveling behind the vehicle that was associated with Shannon Sundberg. The caller stated the vehicle was last seen traveling south bound on Highway 101 in Eureka taking the Humboldt Hill exit. A Sheriff’s Deputy was in the immediate area at the time of the call and located Sundberg parked in her vehicle at the Humboldt Hill Vista Point. Paige was contacted and did not require any further assistance from the Sheriff’s Office.

The original post on this story appears below.

Shannon Sundberg (shown in the photo) was reported missing early this morning (April 11, 2014) by her husband. Her husband reported, to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, that she left last evening to drive from her home in Weott to a medical appointment in Fortuna.

Shannon Sundberg is described as follows: White female, 5’ 7” tall, 120 lbs., brownish red shoulder length hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing blue jeans and knee high leather boots with heels. She is driving a silver 2003 Saturn Ion, California plate 5CVV666. Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539. The HCSO press release appears below.

HCSO press release, dated April 11, 2014:On 04-11-2014, at approximately 2:00 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the husband of Shannon Paige Sundberg who reported her as a missing person- overdue motorist. Her husband told the investigating deputy that Shannon Sundberg left their Weott home on 04-10-2014, at approximately 6:30 p.m., for a medical appointment in the Fortuna area. He said his wife has had medical issues for several months and he was concerned when she failed to come home or contact him. He tried to call her cell phone and it rings directly to her voice mail. He told the deputy her failure to contact him or come home is completely out of character.

Shannon Sundberg is described as follows: White female, 5’ 7” tall, 120 lbs, brownish red shoulder length hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing blue jeans and knee high leather boots with heels. She is driving a silver 2003 Saturn Ion, California plate 5CVV666.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

Beloved Briceland Volunteer Fire Chief, Tim Olsen, passed away in the afternoon on Thursday, March 20, and a memorial service honoring him will be held on Sunday April 13, 2014 beginning at 1:00PM at the River Lodge Conference Center located at 1800 Riverwalk Dr., Fortuna Calif. Two of the photos on this page are from the Briceland Volunteer Fire Dept. Facebook page. The photo at the very bottom of the page was taken by Brian Elie and shows the Chief's Vehicle, at the Briceland Volunteer Fire Department, decorated as a memorial to Chief Tim Olsen.

Tune in to KMUD for a special edition of Burning Issues this Sunday, March 30, starting at 1:30 pm when host George Monroe will honor Tim Olsen. Chief Olsen was a frequent guest on Burning Issues, loved engaging listeners and often ran into the studio to share his fire and rescue stories.

The following information describing the memorial service for Tim Olsen was received by KMUD News:

The public memorial service for fallen Briceland Fire Chief Tim Olsen will be held on Sunday April 13, 2014 beginning at 1:00PM at the River Lodge Conference Center located at 1800 Riverwalk Dr. Fortuna Ca. A reception and dinner will immediately follow the memorial service at the same location. Chief Tim Olsen was well loved and admired for his work in Emergency services, not only in southern Humboldt but all over Humboldt County. He happily dedicated many years of his life to protect and serve our community and created a strong professional rural fire department that is admired and respected by all. Please join us and his family in honoring him in the tradition fitting for a fire chief of his stature.

All Humboldt county fire departments will receive email notification regarding procession details. Anyone wishing to make monetary donations for the Tim Olsen Memorial Fund can do so by sending a check to Briceland Volunteer Fire Department Po box 1249 Redway, CA 95560 or cash donations can be made at the Community Credit Union in Garberville Ca under Briceland Volunteer Fire Department.

Photo below by Brian Elie shows the Chief's Vehicle at Briceland VFD decorated as a memorial to Chief Tim Olsen:

The current drought in California has prompted a streamlined approval process for installation of storage tanks by landowners in several regions of the state, including Del Norte, Humboldt, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama and Trinity counties. According to a press release from the Calif. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, "...CDFW has essentially 'pre-approved' the installation of storage tanks that meet the general criteria. The State Water Board has agreed to incorporate these criteria as conditions of approval, and to expedite the issuance of the registrations."

The press release applauded local conservation efforts saying, "Today’s action was the direct result of suggestions made by local communities and fish conservation organizations such as Trout Unlimited, Mattole River Sanctuary Forest and the Salmonid Restoration Federation."

This streamlined approval process is limited to parties that are diverting and storing water to be used only for domestic purposes and fire protection. Further requirements include: tank design (must be rigid type, as opposed to collapsible type); storage tank(s) capacity must be at least that which would constitute a 60-day supply; and agreement by the applicant to use the stored water as a substitute for withdrawing additional water during the summer when flows are lowest. Click here to view the complete press release.

On March 14, 2014, KMUD News Director, Terri Klemetson, interviewed Dana Stolzman, Executive Director of the Salmonid Restoration Federation for more information about this new change in water storage requirements. The audio from this interview can be heard using the player below.

Use the player below to hear Jane Arnold from the Dept. of Fish & wildlife as she clarifies some of the new tank storage policy changes. Ms. Arnold was a guest on the Thurs. March 18, edition of the KMUD Environment Show hosted by Scott Greacen, Executive Director of Friends of the Eel River.

A public memorial service for Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Deputy Ricky Del Fiorentino (shown in the photo), will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 beginning at 10:00 AM at the Cotton Auditorium located at 500 North Harold Street in Fort Bragg, California. Deputy Del Fiorentino was shot and killed last Wed., March 19 by a kidnapping suspect later identified as 42-year-old Ricardo Anthony Chaney from Oregon. Links to more information and the full press release appear below.

MCSO press release:The public memorial service for fallen Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Deputy Ricky Del Fiorentino will be held on Wednesday March 26, 2014 beginning at 10:00 AM at the Cotton Auditorium located at 500 North Harold Street in Fort Bragg, California. A reception will immediately follow the memorial service at the Fort Bragg Middle School located adjacent to the Cotton Auditorium.

Law Enforcement agencies wishing to participate in a marked patrol vehicle procession are asked to arrive at the Redwood Empire Fair & Event Center (1055 North State Street Ukiah, Ca) on Wednesday March 26, 2014 at 6:00 AM. The procession will depart at 7:00 AM and will travel approximately 60 miles along the routes of Highway 101, Highway 20 and Highway 1 before reaching the Georgia Pacific Mill Site (100 West Cypress Street) in Fort Bragg, California. This procession will utilize the Nalemars radio frequency for communications.

A secondary Law Enforcement procession will depart the Georgia Pacific Mill Site to travel to the Cotton Auditorium after the first procession arrives at the mill site. The Georgia Pacific Mill Site has been established as the main parking area for the memorial service and buses will be at the location to shuttle attendees to/from the Cotton Auditorium. Parking near the Cotton Auditorium will be reserved for family, law enforcement and special guests. Carpooling to the memorial service is highly recommended. The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office will be attempting to establish a video broadcast of the memorial service accessible via the internet for those who areunable to attend.

Anyone wishing to make monetary donations to the Ricky Del Fiorentino Memorial Fund can do so by contacting or visiting any of the Savings Bank of Mendocino County locations or by mail to PO Box 3600 Ukiah, Ca 95482 (707-462-6613).

Earlier this month 58 year old McKinleyville pastor and College of the Redwoods assistant professor, Sharon Latour, (shown in the photo), let it be known that she would be on the June 3 ballot running for 5th district Humboldt County Supervisor. The official Latour campaign launch took place on the steps of the Humboldt County Courthouse Thurs., March 21 where she threw down the gauntlet as she spoke about the current Board of Supervisors majority, including incumbent Ryan Sundberg, her opponent in this race.

Criticizing the BOS majority's mishandling of the General Plan Update process, Latour stated that, "Where there was a plan and a roadmap for our futures now there's only a mess." and went on to say that this process has cost the public time and money and eroded the public trust. Hear more about this event using the KMUD SoundCloud player below. To connect with the Sharon Latour campaign for Humboldt County Supervisor click here.

KMUD Correspondent, Daniel Mintz, covered the Latour campaign launch and submitted the report below, which aired on KMUD Local News on Thurs., March 20, 2014.

Drought in California and looming state legalization of marijuana brought relevancy to the "Environmental Cannabis Forum" held Sat., March 8, 2014 at the Mateel Community Center in Redway. About 30 people attended the event, which was organized by Attorney Kathleen Bryson and featured six speakers. The speakers included Tim Blake, founder of the Emerald Cup; Tony Silvaggio, Environmental Sociologist at Humboldt State University; Gary Graham Hughes, Director of Environmental Protection and Information Center (EPIC); Paul Hagen, Environmental Attorney and former Mendocino County Environmental Prosecutor; Scott Greacen, Executive Director of Friends of the Eel River; and Kym Kemp, Humboldt County reporter specializing in marijuana issues - writes for Lost Coast Outpost and the blog Redheaded Blackbelt.

KMUD News Correspondent, Kerry Reynolds, covered the event and provided the full audio which can be heard using the players below. Reynolds does a weekly "Cannabis Report" that airs on the Fri. edition of KMUD Local News. Forum Photo below provided by Julia Minton.

In the audio below, Forum Organizer, Kathleen Bryson introduces the forum and each panelist introduces themselves.

Humboldt State University Environmental Sociologist, Tony Silvaggio, presents a slideshow, titled "The Ecology, Culture and Economy of Marijuana Agriculture in the Emerald Triangle" with conclusions based on hundreds of interviews with law enforcement, growers, and others.

Sheila Franks (shown in the photos), known to live in both Rio Dell and Loleta, was reported as missing last week by a family member. Sheila was last seen in Eureka on Jan. 11, 2014. Sheila Franks is described as: White female, 37 years old, strawberry blond hair, blue eyes, 5’5” tall and approximately 120 lbs. Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office press release appears below.

HCSO press release, dated March 17, 2014:On 3-13-2014, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Fortuna Police Department forwarded a missing person report to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. The missing person is Sheila Franks, 37 years old known to live in Rio Dell and Loleta. Her mother called to report her missing, because her family had not heard from Sheila in the last month and a half. Sheila has been very consistent with communicating with her son, which has not occurred for over a month and is very out of character for Sheila. Shelia was last seen in Eureka on 01-11-14.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

According to KMUD News, US Marshalls were canvassing Southern Humboldt today looking for Dinette Eugene Patterson (shown in the photo). Patterson is wanted for allegedly stabbing and murdering Charles Jordan in Sacramento.

Patterson is described as a black male adult, 5-feet 11-inches tall, weighing 195 pounds. If you have information about this suspect, please call the Fugitive Watch hot line at 1-800-9-CAUGHT (1-800-922-8448) or text at 408-355-0999, or call local law enforcement. Tune in to the KMUD Local news tonight (Fri., March 14, 2014) to hear more on this story

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